Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis

Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis Photo Taken June 16, 2003 Near Date Creek.

Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis Upright Shrub Or Small Tree Grows To A Height Of 30 Feet	Spanish Name "Mimbre" Means Willow-Like Not Willow But Species Of The Bigonia Family (Bigoniaceae)
Large, Fragrant, Orchid-Like Flowers, 1-1/4 Inches Long With White Edges And Pink-To-Purple Throats Normally Bloom From April To September	Notice The Bright Purple Color This Is A Sign Of A Lot Of Water Available To The Tree
Desert Willow In A Desert Wash	Desert Willow In Natural Setting
Notice The Lighter Color	That Usually Means Less Water

Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis, Family Bigonia ( Bigoniaceae ), Desert Willow. Also called Sweet Desert Willow. Large deciduous shrub to small tree. Its long narrow leaves are willow-like. Its flowers are fragrant, pink to lavender. They appear in May and keep blooming until late September or frost. Native near the waterways in the Mojave Desert. It likes moderate water and sun. Does best in the desert. It is easy to grow for landscaping. Though its many common names refer to it as a willow, it is not related to the willow species. Historically the desert willow has been used by the Pima to thatch roofs and for the enjoyment of the pleasant fragrance produced by the plant. Height: Height to about 30 feet. About 27 feet wide. Flowers: Fragrant, pink to lavender. Terminal clusters with bell or funnel shape; attractive white, lavender or pink colors with distinctive yellow throat and venation, they bloom strongest in May-June then sporadically until frost or cold weather. Blooming Time: May to September. Leaves: Willow like leaves. Simple, solitary, linear, 1/2-3in long, 1/2 to 1/4in wide. Bark: Gray brown, lighter colored cracks and splits, later develops shallow furrows and becomes scaly. Twig: Slender, initially green turning gray brown, buds are very small. Seed Pod: Dehiscent Pod, 4-9in long, they cling on branches throughout the winter. Elevation: 0 - 5000 Feet. Habitat: Found along washes throughout SW US and Mexico, Landscape Plant. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken In Glendale, May 11, 2003. Near Date Creek On June 16, 2003.